Poor health outcomes for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are apparent when comparing their health indicators against the rest of the U.S.
population.

The Disability and Health Program (DHP) is funded by a three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goals of the program are to include Floridians of all ages with disabilities in all of the Department
of Health's programs and activities for health promotion, disease prevention, wellness, and disaster preparedness.

MOST VIEWED DISEASES

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Influenza or 'flu' is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze
or talk. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. The best way to protect yourself from flu
is to get vaccinated, practice good hand washing hygiene, and stay home/keep children home when sick. To find a vaccine, please visit
www.floridahealth.gov/findaflushot.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

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West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes mild to severe illness. It was first identified in Uganda in 1937. WNV was first introduced to the United States in 1999 in New York and reached Florida in 2001. Since its initial detection, human cases of WNV have been reported in all U.S. states with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. The virus is now considered endemic in the U.S., with annual epidemics in some parts of the country, peaking in the late summer months.

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SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

TRANSMISSION

WEST NILE VIRUS OCCURRENCE IN FLORIDA

Frequently Asked Questions

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

Most West Nile virus infections (approximately 80%) are asymptomatic. In those people that do develop symptoms, most experience a mild illness termed West Nile Fever (WNF) that is characterized by headache, fever, pain, and fatigue. Less than 1% of infected people develop the most severe form of disease, neuroinvasive WNV, which may involve meningitis and encephalitis and can cause irreversible neurological damage, paralysis, coma or death. Symptoms typically appear between 2 and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems (especially transplant recipients and HIV infected individuals) seem to be at increased risk for severe disease.

There is no specific treatment for WNV, and most mild infections are typically overcome with little or no medical intervention within a matter of weeks. An effective vaccine has been developed for horses, however research for a human vaccine continues.

The peak period of transmission in Florida is July through September. Since its introduction, WNV activity has been identified in all 67 of Florida's counties. After the 2003 peak, the number of human cases gradually decreased over the years from 2004 to 2009 until it started showing an increase in the number of cases in 2010. Dry environmental conditions and herd immunity in bird populations may have contributed to the low number of cases during 2006-2009.

The natural cycle of WNV involves several species of Culex mosquitoes and wild birds. It can cause high rates of mortality in certain families of birds, especially crows and jays. Occasionally, an infected mosquito will bite a human or animal (particularly horses) and cause disease. The virus can also be transmitted to humans via contaminated blood transfusions and a few cases have also been reported involving intrauterine transmission. Since 2003, all blood donations are screened for the presence of WNV prior to transfusion.

2012 represents the second highest year of record for WNV illness in Florida focused in Duval County and the Panhandle. 2012 also saw a national outbreak of WNV illness with the highest number of cases reported since the 2003 peak. The state of Texas reported 33 percent of all WNV illness cases with all lower 48 states reporting activity. The 2012 outbreak likely resulted from many factors, including higher-than-normal temperatures that influenced mosquito and bird abundance, viral replication in host mosquitoes, and interactions of birds and mosquitoes.

West Nile virus (WNV) illness is a disease that can be spread to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can cause potentially serious illness and even death in people. Experts believe WNV is well established in North America including Florida, with the most activity reported in the summer and fall months. This fact sheet contains important information that can help you prevent WNV illness.

What Can I Do to Prevent WNV infection?

The easiest and best way to avoid WNV illness is to prevent mosquito bites. The best preventive measures are to Drain standing water to prevent mosquito breeding around your home or business, Cover doors and windows to keep mosquitoes outside of homes and Cover skin with clothing or mosquito repellant to prevent mosquito bites.

DRAIN standing water:

Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

Discarded old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.

Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.

Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER your skin with:

CLOTHING - If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear comfortable shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves.

REPELLENT – Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered repellents with 10-30 percent DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. Permethrin repellent can also be applied to clothing (but not skin).

Serious Symptoms. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Severe illness can also result in death.

Milder Symptoms. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.

No Symptoms. Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

How Does WNV Spread?

Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite.

WNV is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing an infected person.

How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?

People typically develop symptoms between 2 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.

How Is WNV Infection Treated?

There is no specific treatment for WNV infection.

In cases with milder symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own, although it may take several weeks to fully recover.

In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV illness?

Contact your health care provider if you think you or a family member might be ill due to WNV infection.

What Is the Risk of Getting Sick from WNV infection?

Anyone living in an area where WNV is present can be infected and experience serious illness. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Pay attention to preventing mosquito bites if you spend time outside, either working or playing.

Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, those over 60 years of age are at increased risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants or who have a weakened immune system, are also at greater risk for serious illness.